Scribd
Upload
170 views2 pages

Contiguous vs Non-Contiguous Memory Allocation

Memory management is central to operating systems. There are two types of memory allocation: contiguous and non-contiguous. Contiguous allocation assigns processes contiguous blocks of memory. This can lead to internal fragmentation as unused space within blocks cannot be reallocated. Non-contiguous allocation assigns memory dynamically in smaller non-contiguous blocks to better utilize available space and reduce fragmentation.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Usman Nasir
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
170 views2 pages

Contiguous vs Non-Contiguous Memory Allocation

Memory management is central to operating systems. There are two types of memory allocation: contiguous and non-contiguous. Contiguous allocation assigns processes contiguous blocks of memory. This can lead to internal fragmentation as unused space within blocks cannot be reallocated. Non-contiguous allocation assigns memory dynamically in smaller non-contiguous blocks to better utilize available space and reduce fragmentation.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Usman Nasir
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Contiguous and Non-Contiguous

memory allocation in Operating


System
Memory Management:
Memory is central to the operation of a computer system. It consists of a large array of
words or bytes each with its own address. In uni-programming system, main memory
has two parts one for the operating system and another part is for the program currently
being executed. In the multiprogramming system, the memory part of the user is further
divided into accommodate processes. The task of the subdivision is cannot out by the
operating system and is known as memory management.

a) Contiguous memory allocation


b) In contiguous memory allocation, all the available memory space remain
together in one place. It means freely available memory partitions are not
scattered here and there across the whole memory space.

c) In the contiguous memory allocation, both the operating system and


the user must reside in the main memory. The main memory is divided
into two portions one portion is for the operating and other is for the user
program.

d) In the contiguous memory allocation when any user process request for


the memory a single section of the contiguous memory block is given to
that process according to its need. We can achieve contiguous memory
allocation by dividing memory into the fixed-sized partition.

e) A single process is allocated in that fixed sized single partition. But this will
increase the degree of multiprogramming means more than one process
in the main memory that bounds the number of fixed partition done in
memory. Internal fragmentation increases because of the contiguous
memory allocation.

You might also like